Why wont my dog cuddle with me in bed? Learn simple ways to make it happen!

So, I’ve got this dog, right? A golden retriever, about three years old now. Super cute, loves to play fetch, goes crazy for walks, the whole nine yards. But here’s the thing – he just won’t cuddle with me in bed! I mean, I see all these people online with their dogs all snuggled up, and I’m a little jealous, not gonna lie.

At first, I thought, maybe he’s just not a cuddly dog. Some dogs are like that, you know? More independent, prefer their own space. I tried to respect that. I’d give him his own comfy bed in the corner of my room, let him do his thing. He seemed happy enough, sleeping soundly in his little doggy den. But I still kinda wished he’d want to hop up on the bed for some morning snuggles.

Then, I started to wonder if it was something I was doing. Was my bed too high? Too soft? Did he not like my blankets? I even tried changing my laundry detergent, thinking maybe the smell was putting him off. It sounds silly, but I was determined to crack this case!

I did some digging online, you know, like you do. Turns out, there are a bunch of reasons why a dog might not want to cuddle. Some dogs just aren’t into it, like humans. Some might find it too hot, or too restrictive. Others might have had bad experiences in the past that make them wary of being confined.

I also read that changes in the environment can affect a dog’s behavior. And that got me thinking. We did recently rearrange the furniture in the living room. Maybe that messed with his sense of security somehow? Dogs are creatures of habit, after all.

So, I decided to try a few things. First, I made sure his bed was extra comfy, with his favorite blanket and a couple of his toys. I wanted him to feel safe and secure in his own space.

• I also started spending more time on the floor with him, just hanging out, playing games, giving him pets. I figured maybe if he got more comfortable with close contact in general, he might be more open to cuddling in bed.
• I bought a dog ramp. I thought if my bed was too high, he may not willing to jump. It is a good try.

Then, I tried the positive reinforcement thing. Whenever he came near the bed, I’d give him a treat and praise him. If he even put a paw on the mattress, he’d get a jackpot of treats and cuddles. I was basically trying to create a positive association between the bed and good things.

It took some time, but slowly, he started to get more comfortable. He’d spend more time near the bed, sniffing around, occasionally even jumping up for a quick pet before retreating to his own bed. It wasn’t quite the full-on cuddle fest I’d imagined, but it was progress!

A Little Progress, Finally!

And then, one morning, I woke up to find him curled up at the foot of the bed! He wasn’t exactly snuggling, but he was there, on the bed, with me! I was so excited, I almost scared him off. I just lay there, trying to stay as still as possible, not wanting to ruin the moment.

He’s still not a super cuddly dog, but he does hop up on the bed more often now, especially in the mornings. He’ll usually just lie there for a few minutes, enjoying the pets, before going back to his own bed. It’s not perfect, but it’s our thing, and I love it.

I guess the lesson here is that every dog is different, and it’s important to respect their individual preferences. It’s also about building trust and creating a positive environment. And sometimes, it just takes a little patience and a whole lot of treats! I will keeping doing this and I hope he can cuddle with me for a whole night!